"It is the most important victory of my career." -- Head Coach Dick Voris, after the Hoos’ 15-12 victory over Duke on September 27, 1958. Voris finished his UVA career with a record of 1-29.

"We've stopped recruiting young men who want to come here to be students first and athletes second." -- Former Virginia head coach Sonny Randle, describing his strategy for turning around UVA's football program

"As the score mounted, to 20-0 and finally 26-0, his movements slowed. With two minutes to go and South Carolina threatening once more, Voris stood behind several rows of substitutes, staring at his shoes." -- Sports Illustrated, describing Coach Voris’ stellar coaching performance during the Hoos’ 26-0 loss to South Carolina in 1960

"Really, Texas wasn't as good as I thought they'd be." -- Ted Manly, Virginia's freshman quarterback, after Texas had spanked the Hoos 68-0

5 Questions with "All the Way" Ray Brown

Ray Brown played football at the University of Virginia from 1945-1947. Over those three seasons, the Hoos compiled a record of 18-9-1 under head coaches Frank Murray (1945) and Art Guepe (1946-1947), outscoring their opponents by an average score of 25-12.

Much of the team's success during this period was directly attributable to the talent and versatility of "All the Way" Ray Brown. In 1945, Mr. Brown scored 11 touchdowns and led the team in scoring with 66 points. In 1946, "All the Way" had one of the most ridiculous seasons in UVA history, leading the team in passing, rushing, total offense, kickoff returns, all-purpose yards, scoring, and interceptions. "All the Way" was primed for another big season in 1947, but a hit from one of his teammates knocked him out of action for 6 games.

Although Mr. Brown's football career ended more than 60 years ago, his name is still scattered throughout UVA's record book. His four touchdowns against Richmond in 1945 are the most ever scored by a sophomore. (Three players have since tied his record – Gary Helman vs. William & Mary, 1969; Terry Kirby vs. William & Mary, 1990; and Wali Lundy vs. Virginia Tech, 2003). In addition, he still holds the UVA record for the highest rushing average in a single game (3 carries, 104 yards, 34.7 ypc vs. Hampden-Sydney, 1946), and his 79-yard touchdown in that game is the 7th longest run in UVA history.

And the most amazing thing? He did all of this with only one thumb (see below).

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I'm not sure who tagged me with the nickname "All The Way". It was possibly Chauncey Durden of the Richmond Times Dispatch or the Sports Writer for the Daily Progress.

2. Do you have any funny stories from your playing days?

Enclosed are two photos of me running as fast as I can, scared to death. The one where I'm wearing #70 was a punt return for a touchdown against V.P.I. at their field. After that punt return, a gentleman in Richmond named L. Gleason Gianinny, who was listening to the game on the radio, ran out on the back porch to tell his wife, fell down the steps and broke his arm!! I wrote him a note of thanks and sympathy. A couple of games later, against West Virginia, we called a fake punt and I was fortunate to run for a touchdown. I got a telegram from him that night, delivered to Memorial Gym during a Spring Dance saying, "All The Way, what do you want me to do, break my neck?"

I have one more funny story to tell. I lost my left thumb in a childhood accident. We were playing West Virginia in Charleston. It had rained the whole previous week. At that time I was the team punter and warmed up on the cinder track surrounding the field. You cannot believe the terrible condition of the field.

Every time I punted, the referee would let me use his towel to clean off my kicking shoe. At half time, we showered in our uniforms to get the mud off! Somewhere in the third quarter, we had third and short yardage and Charley Ellis, our quarterback called a "Sneak". I was at left halfback and faked a wide run.

All of a sudden this cry of pain came out of the pileup. The referee dug into the players and discovered the West Virginia guard had bitten Charley on his calf! He grabbed the guy by the shoulder pads, shoved him towards his bench and said "you son of a bitch, you're out of this game." He was really pissed. Here we were, 21 other cold, wet, muddy, puzzled players just standing there trying to figure out what was going to happen next.

The referee whirled around and shouted "HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?" I stepped forward, stuck out my thumbless left hand and said, LOOK WHAT HE DID TO ME IN THE FIRST QUARTER! He was still so mad it took him a moment to understand what I said. Then his eyes got as big as saucers and he started laughing so hard he went over to the bench and sat down. The other officials asked him what was so funny. When he told them, they all started laughing. We finally got back to playing football and we won in a low scoring game. Someone sent the story into the NY Times and they had a small clip on it in the sports page.

3. I know you missed part of your senior season with an injury. What happened?

I graduated at mid term and immediately joined the Davidson College coaching staff as Backfield Coach. That Fall, we were going to play VMI and I was sent to Charlottesville to scout the Keydets, who were playing UVA. When the train arrived in Charlottesville I expected some old teammates to be there to greet me. NO ONE! I caught a cab and asked the cabbie, "I bet you all miss Ray Brown, don’t you!" WHO?

Anyway, I watched the whole game. Maybe one person spoke to me. I walked down on the field to get the smell of the grass, feeling pretty low. Two young kids walked by me. One turned around and looked at me. He jabbed his friend with his elbow and said "ain't that Ray Brown?" MY FANS!!!! Where do I sign?

5. What's your best memory from your time at UVA?

As for Best Memories, that's hard to answer. I think, just the fact of attending the University, meeting so many great guys from all over the country, being involved in athletics and student government were all just a part of a wonderful experience. Back in those days we wore coats and ties (as well as shirts and pants) to class. The professors called us "gentlemen", and 95% of the time we were. I am very proud to have graduated from the University of Virginia, as I'm sure you are.